Deputies say man appeared to have meth in underwear

Anderson County sheriff's deputies found a bag of what appeared to be methamphetamine sticking out the back of underwear of a man who had been booked into jail.

Michael Anthony Fortner Sr., 52, of Anderson, was arrested Tuesday night on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Deputies pulled over his green sports utility vehicle after he had left the car in the middle of Harris Street with the passenger door open.

A drug dog was called out and signaled that there were drugs in the car. Deputies found a substance they believed to be methamphetamine and arrested Fortner.

Sometime later, at the Anderson County Detention Center, deputies noticed a plastic bag sticking out of the back of Fortner's underwear, said Chad McBride, a sheriff's spokesman.

McBride said Fortner became uncooperative and a medical worker on staff at the jail was called to assist because the bag was partly in the man's rectum.

"They were able to remove the baggie, which appeared to contain narcotics, from his buttocks," McBride said.

Fortner remains in the Anderson County Detention Center and has not had a bond set.

Since 1996 Fortner has pleaded guilty to at least seven drug possession or trafficking offenses, nine weapons offenses and a dozen other crimes including drunken driving and larceny.